Report – Intense gaming linked to improved mental performance

Rsearchers have noted a correlation between playing violent action games and being a smart cookie.

A report in the Wall Street Journal‘s Science section claims action games have been linked with better hand-eye coordination in surgeons and boosted vision to benefit night driving.

While no specific titles were mentioned in conjunction with the results, researchers apparently found violent action games to be the most beneficial – or at least, that those who played them displayed certain mental advantages.

“These are not the games you would think are mind-enhancing,” cognitive neuroscientist Daphne Bavelier said.

Citing studies conducted at the University of Rochester, the report claims action gamers make decisions “25% faster than others without sacrificing accuracy”.

The best gamers can make and act on choices up to six times a second, which is apparently four times faster than non-gaming plebeians. Gamers can also pay attention to six things at once, as compared to civilian’s comparably pathetic four, without getting confused.